TdF Stage 17: Bagnères-de-Luchon – Peyragudes

July 28, 2012

The last mountain stage included a Category 1 climb to the finish line and the HC climb over the Port de Balès. The climbers, particularly those who are not strong time trialists, would have to perform well to finish high in the general classification in Paris.

The day and the race was Sky’s. Liquigas pushed and led the peleton for much of the day, but in the end Nibali did not have the legs and it was he that faded. Lotto attacked near the end, but when Wiggins and Froome matched them, then went to the front the Sky pair raced away together at the end. Their team work was so strong that Froome did not go for the stage win when it looked possible, but rather they stayed together and finished only 19 seconds behind the stage winner and head of all their rivals.

Valverde won the stage from the break, the last 35km alone. He had a decent lead at the start of the final climb, but only just held out. Voeckler and Kessiakoff had a good fight over the mountains jersey, but it was the Frenchman who won every time and has secured that competition.

Zubeldia had a bad day and dropped two places. The BMC pair van Garderen and Evans moved up to 5th and 6th. Rolland overtook Brajkovic for 8th place.